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RANDOLPH — The Randolph school board is getting items in order in preparation for the 20252026 school year.
During their July 14 meeting, board members took care of annual actions and confirmed the new policies discussed last month, including a stricter phone policy.
Due to new state legislation, school boards are required to adopt policies that prohibit the use of cell phones during instructional time.
Randolph Public School superintendent Daryl Schrunk is optimistic about the new policy.
“I think that it’s going to obviously take some adjustment, but I think it’ll be very positive,” said Schrunk.
The school’s previous policy allowed students to use their phones in the halls and at lunchtime.
“We used to have it where a teacher could, say, turn them into a box in the classroom, but that’s even gone now,” said Schrunk.
The new policy adds that students cannot have their phones in the halls, during lunchtime or in classrooms.
He said the school-provided Chromebooks should be relied on for class work and may help eliminate the use of phones in the classroom.
Schrunk said since limiting the use of phones in school, he has seen kids communicate more and even strike up unusual pastimes.
“There was one time that there were some kids playing cards at lunchtime, and I kind of got a kick out of it,” said Schrunk. “At least playing a card game, they have to talk. So, I think they will get used to (the new policy) and they’ll find a way to communicate and be a kid that way.”
Other updates to the policies were mainly adding inclusive language for veteran status.
The board reviewed and approved all the expenses presented in the meeting, including an updated camera system for $3,070, an early intervention reading program for around $5,000 and performing arts gym floor refurbishing for $2,170.
Schrunk also said the school had to repair some windows due to a small ant problem in the high school band room for $213.
The board discussed the recent inspection of the school’s buses and vans, and miscellaneous repairs included replacing a rear main seal and parking brake.
They also mentioned training for the vehicles will remain a two-hour class that all staff must take.
